Cardiff Blues 16 Munster 18

Cardiff Blues returned to Celtic League action after two Heineken Cup matches with a game against league leaders Munster.

FRIDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 7.30PM KICK OFF CARDIFF ARMS PARK, CARDIFF

Lee Thomas who started at outside half, kicked off and the Blues pushed in to the Munster twenty two.

The Blues were awarded a penalty as the Munster players drifted off side but they failed to convert. Munster drove up to the Cardiff half and were soon awarded a penalty, with former Cardiff outside half Paul Burke getting the first score of the game as he converted.

With the rain falling heavily in Cardiff over the past few days it wasnt ideal playing conditions but Lee Thomas did well to hold on to the ball and an excellent break from his own half drove the Blues up field. Once again Munster drifted offside and this time Thomas kicked the penalty. Paul Burke once again put the visitors ahead with a penalty but Thomas soon equalised and a further penalty each saw the teams go in at the break at nine all.

Half Time Cardiff Blues 9 Munster 9

Munster came out firing and a great break up field saw the referee play advantage after the Cardiff players went in to the ruck from an offside position. Paul Burke kicked the penalty and soon added another following good pressure from the Cardiff Blues that they failed to capitalise on. The home side soon had a chance to get some points on the score board after the Munster prop Frederico Pucciariello was sent to the sin bin, however the Blues chose to kick for the corner and get the line out. Once again, they failed to capitalise on their position as Munster cleared their lines

The Irishmen soon were back in the Blues half following a kick and chase and were awarded a line out in the Blues 22. Once again they were awarded a penalty for offside, and this time full back Jeremy Manning stood up and kicked the penalty to bring the score to 9 18. The Blues knew they had to score quickly to get anything from the game with only 10 minutes left on the clock. They soon drove up to Munster half and Gareth Williams did well carrying the ball up field and when the ball went out wide Marc Stcherbina crossed the line to get the first try of the match converted by Lee Thomas. From the restart Ryan Powell soon broke up field with some strong running and when awarded a penalty they kicked to the Munster corner to try to win the line out, frustratingly they failed to make the most of their position as Munster cleared. With the rain starting again the Blues were held in their own half, they threw the ball around but couldnt break through the Munster defence, before the final whistle was blown with the final score Cardiff Blues 16 Munster 18.